Types of Genres
genus; kind; sort; style of book
Fiction
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Realistic Fiction
Mystery
Sports Fiction
Humor
Historical Fiction
Fantasy
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Science Fiction
Adventure/War/Survival
Romance Novel
Western
Mythology/ fable
Non-Fiction
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Science
Politics
Essay Collections
Self Help/ Health
History
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Music / art
Biography/autobiography
Math
Sports
Social issue
Reference
Realistic Fiction
Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson
All summer, Jess pushed himself to be the fastest boy in
the fifth grade, and when the year's first school-yard race
was run, he was going to win. But his victory was stolen by
a newcomer, by a girl, one who didn't even know enough to
stay on the girls' side of the playground. Then,
unexpectedly, Jess finds himself sticking up for Leslie, for
the girl who breaks rules and wins races. The friendship
between the two grows as Jess guides the city girl through
the pitfalls of life in their small, rural town, and Leslie draws
him into the world of imaginations world of magic and
ceremony called Terabithia. Here, Leslie and Jess rule
supreme among the oaks and evergreens, safe from the
bullies and ridicule of the mundane world. Safe until an
unforeseen tragedy forces Jess to reign in Terabithia alone,
and both worlds are forever changed.
Mystery
Into the Gauntlet (The 39 Clues Series
#10) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Throughout the hunt for the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan Cahill
have uncovered history's greatest mysteries and their family's
deadliest secrets. But are they ready to face the truth about
the Cahills and the key to their unmatched power? After a
whirlwind race that's taken them across five continents, Amy
and Dan face the most the difficult challenge yet- a task no
Cahill dared to imagine. When faced with a choice that could
change the future of the world, can two kids succeed where
500 years worth of famous ancestors failed?
Sports Fiction
Million-Dollar Throw
by Mike Lupica
What would you do with a million dollars, if you were 13?
Nate Brodie is nicknamed “Brady” not only for his arm, but
also because he’s the biggest Tom Brady fan. He’s even
saved up to buy an autographed football. And when he
does, he wins the chance for something he’s never
dreamed of—to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots
game for one million dollars. Nate should be excited. But
things have been tough lately. His dad lost his job and his
family is losing their home. It’s no secret that a million
dollars would go a long way. So all Nate feels is pressure,
and just when he needs it most, his golden arm begins to
fail him. Even worse, his best friend Abby is going blind,
slowly losing her ability to do the one thing she loves
most—paint. Yet Abby never complains, and she is Nate’s
inspiration. He knows she’ll be there when he makes the
throw of a lifetime. Mike Lupica’s latest sports novel is also
his most heartwarming.
Humor
Cheaper by the Dozen
by Frank Gilbreth , Ernestine Carey
No growing pains have ever been more hilarious than
those suffered loudly by the riotous Gilbreth clan.
First there are a dozen red-haired, freckle-faced kids
to contend with. Then there's Dad, a famous
efficiency expert who believes a family can be run just
like a factory. Finally there's Mother, his partner in
everything except discipline. How they all survive
such escapades as forgetting Frank Jr. in a roadside
restaurant or going on a first date with Dad in the
backseat or having their tonsils removed en masse
will keep you in stitches. You can be sure they're not
only cheaper, they're funnier by the dozen.
Historical fiction
My Brother Sam Is Dead
by James Lincoln Collier,
Christopher Collier
All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up
to his brother Sam. Sam's smart and
brave -- and is now a part of the
American Revolution. Not everyone in
town wants to be a part of the
rebellion. Most are supporters of the
British -- including Tim and Sam's
father. With the war soon raging, Tim
know he'll have to make a choice -between the Revolutionaries and the
Redcoats . . . and between his brother
and his father.
Fantasy
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
by James Ponti
In modern day Manhattan, one young man's life is
about to take a surprising turn. When Dave Stutler
wanders into a strange shop downtown, he can never
imagine the consequences. It turns out that Dave is no
ordinary boy--he is a Merlinian. As a descendent of the
most famous sorcerer in history, Dave has untapped
powers. The problem is, certain people don't want him
to ever use them. Led by Horvath, a Morganian
(descendents of the evil sorcereress Morgana), this
group will stop at nothing to destroy Dave and unleash
darkness upon the world. Dave will have to rely on the
help of his mentor, Baltazhar Blake, to find his inner
strength and help save the world.
Western
Little House in the Big Woods:
(Little House Series: Classic
Stories)
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder s
charming, fascinating tales of
her own girlhood spent in the
American West. The series,
which is both a document of
frontier-town America in the
19th century and a beautifully
told coming-of-age story, is
beloved by readers
everywhere for their universal
truths about family, love, and
endurance in the face of
hardship.
Mythology/ Fable
The Red Pyramid
by Rick Riordan
Science Fiction
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her
mother and younger sister in the poorest
district of Panem, the remains of what used
be the United States. Long ago the districts
waged war on the Capitol and were
defeated. As part of the surrender terms,
each district agreed to send one boy and
one girl to appear in an annual televised
event called, "The Hunger Games." The
terrain, rules, and level of audience
participation may change but one thing is
constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister
is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in
her place.
Adventure/War/Survival
The Boy Who Dared
by Susan Bartoletti
Romance Novels
Suite Scarlett
by Maureen Johnson
Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns
the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City. Her
nineteen-year-old brother, Spencer, is an out of work actor facing a
family deadline to get his career in order. Eighteen-year-old Lola has
the delicate looks of a model, the practical nature of a nurse, and a
wealthy society boyfriend. Eleven-year-old Marlene is the family terror
with a tragic past.
When the Martins turn fifteen, they are each expected to take over the
care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For
Scarlett’s fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire
Suite, and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn’t
quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and
aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she
meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the
city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.
With Mrs. Amberson calling the shots, Spencer’s career to save, Lola’s
love life to navigate around, and Marlene’s prying eyes everywhere,
things won’t be easy. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to
survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps,
and theatrical deception.
The show, as they say, must always go on . . . .
Nonfiction
Science
Phineas Gage: A
Gruesome but True Story
about Brain Science
by John Fleischman
Phineas Gage was truly a man with a hole in his head. Phineas, a
railroad construction foreman, was blasting rock near Cavendish,
Vermont, in 1848 when a thirteen-pound iron rod was shot through his
brain. Miraculously, he survived to live another eleven years and
become a textbook case in brain science. At the time, Phineas Gage
seemed to completely recover from his accident. He could walk, talk,
work, and travel, but he was changed. Gage “was no longer Gage,”
said his Vermont doctor, meaning that the old Phineas was
dependable and well liked, and the new Phineas was crude and
unpredictable. His case astonished doctors in his day and still
fascinates doctors today. What happened and what didn’t happen
inside the brain of Phineas Gage will tell you a lot about how your
brain works and how you act human.
Politics
The Politics of Slavery: Fiery
National Debates Fueled by the
Slave Economy
by Linda Jacobs Altman
Union troops dove for cover as
cannons bombarded Fort Sumter on
April 12, 1861. The Civil War had
erupted. For over eighty years, the hot
issue of slavery had been debated. In
The Politics of Slavery, author Linda
Jacobs Altman carefully explains how
both politics and the economy
influenced America's decisions on
slavery.
Essay Collections
Guys Write for Guys
Read
by Jon Scieszka
What is a typical guy moment, anyhow? Daniel Pinkwater
remembers thedisappointment of meeting his Lone Star
Ranger hero up close and personal. Gordon Korman
relishes the goofy ultra violence of the old Looney Tunes
cartoons. Stephen King realizes that having your two
hundred- pound babysitter fart on your five-year-old head
prepares you for any literary criticism. And that's just a
sampling from Guys Write for Guys Read, a fast-paced,
high energy collection of short works: stories, essays,
columns, cartoons, anecdotes, and artwork by today's most
popular writers and illustrators. Guys Write will feature work
from Brian Jacques, Jerry Spinelli, Chris Crutcher, Mo
Willems, Chris Van Allsburg, Matt Groening, Neil Gaiman,
the editors and columnists from Sports Illustrated,The
Onion and Esquire magazines, and more. Selected by
voters at the Guys Read Web site and compiled by Jon
Scieszka, this wide-ranging collection of authors and
illustrators shows that guys do read . . . and will read more
if given things they enjoy reading.
Self Help/ Health
Go for the Goal: A Champion's Guide to
Winning in Soccer and Life
by Mia Hamm
For the more than seven million girls—from knobby-kneed tykes to
high school and college stars—who are tearing across the country
chasing a soccer ball and dreams of glory, there is one name that
eclipses all others, male or female: Mia Hamm. With her cheetahlike
acceleration and lightning-bolt shot, Hamm broke nearly every
record in her sport, while galvanizing a whole generation of fans and
players.
Go for the Goal is not only the inspiring story of how a tiny suburban
sprite became a global terror with a ball (and the world) at her feet—
it's also a step-by-step or dribble-by-dribble guide for any kid with
the all-American dream of making the team and becoming a
champion.
Filled with personal anecdotes and fully illustrated with both action
and instructional photographs, Go for the Goal shows readers
exactly how to master the silky skills and techniques that made
Hamm and her teammates the finest women's soccer team in the
world.
History
Kingfisher History
Encyclopedia
by Editors of Kingfisher
This authoritative reference book brings world history to
life, from early humans to the current war on terror. Along
the way, it reveals riveting facts on the founding of the great
Roman Empire, the revolution that changed France forever,
the war between the North and South that unified America,
the start of World War I and the Great Depression that
followed, the first moon landing, and the end of apartheid in
South Africa.
The encyclopedia is organized chronologically and then
thematically within each time period. A timeline runs across
the top of each page. Each section includes biographies of
important people and features on art, architecture, and
technology.
Social Issues
Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul : 101
Stories of Changes, Choices and Growing
up for Kids
by Jack Canfield , Mark Hansen , Patty
Hansen , Irene Dunlap
Paperback
From remembering their own life experience or to watching their own children
grow, most people recognize that the preteen years, ages nine to thirteen, can
be one of the most awkward times in life-a period of tremendous physical and
emotional change. At this age, youngsters are eager to leave the "kid" stage,
yet are uncertain about what adolescence will bring; they'd rather listen to
peers over parents, and hear all too often to "wait until you're older." Chicken
Soup for the Preteen Soul will guide kids through this transition.
Written by and for preteens, this uplifting collection of stories touches on the
emotions and situations they experience every day: making and losing friends,
fitting in while keeping their personal identity, discovering the opposite sex,
dealing with pressures at school including violence, and coping with family
issues such as divorce.
Chapters include: On Love, On Family, On Friendship, On Choices, On
Changes, On Overcoming Obstacles, Eclectic Wisdom, Tough Stuff, Attitude
and Perspective and Achieving Dreams. Contributors indclude: *NSYNC, Mia
Hamm, Beverley Mitchell and Karl Malone.
Whether first-time Chicken Soup readers or "graduates" of the bestselling Kid's
Soul book, preteens are sure to include this in their backpacks and book bags.
Reference
Student Atlas of the World
The third edition of the award-winning National Geographic Student
Atlas of the World has everything for today’s globally-minded student:
new photographs and graphics of our changing planet, maps that reflect
modern borders, and fully updated essays and statistics.
Specially designed for middle- and high-school students, this compact,
fact-filled atlas will put the world at your fingertips. The third edition of
this perennial favorite is chockfull of maps, charts, and graphs,
photographs, flags and facts—everything you need to help understand
the world.
You’ll begin by learning about maps and how to read them. Then you’ll
explore the world’s physical and human systems, including Earth’s
geologic history, natural vegetation, and world cultures. A stunning view
from space introduces each continent, and full-page, full-color maps
represent its physical and political make-up, its climate and
precipitation, and its population and predominant economies. A vivid
photo essay highlights an issue relevant to each continent, such as the
European Union, or deforestation in the Amazon. Continuity of map
sizes and scales encourages data comparison, which helps geography
students to develop higher-level thinking skills.
The National Geographic Student Atlas of the World is much more than
maps. Weblink icons direct you to Internet sites to expand your
knowledge and keep statistics up to date. The third edition of the awardwinning National Geographic Student Atlas of the World is an invaluable
resource and a must-have reference tool for libraries and homes
everywhere.
by National Geographic
Music/ Art
Music
by Neil Ardley, Dorling Kindersley Publishing
Staff
Here is an original and exciting look at the fascinating world of
sound and music. Real-life photographs of instruments ranging
from zithers and panpipes to electric guitars and synthesizers
offer a unique view of ancient and contemporary music.
Biography/Autobiography
The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of her life, Anne
Frank's remarkable diary has since become a world classic—a powerful
reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human
spirit. In 1942, with Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish
girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding.
For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the
Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the "Secret Annex"
of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced
hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters,
and the ever-present threat of discovery and death. In her diary Anne
Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period.
By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, her account offers a
fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling
self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise
was tragically cut short.
Math
Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter: A Math Adventure by Cindy
Neuschwander, Wayne Geehan (Illustrator)
Young Per learns a new math game when she visits her
uncle and aunt, Sir Cumference and Lady Di, and her
cousin Radius. Using what they learned about figuring area
in that game, the two children set out to solve a riddle
about the Isle of Immeter, formerly owned by Countess
Areana and now guarded by a sea serpent. To unlock the
key to the Island's secret, they must work together and
think outside the box to solve the riddles Areana has
planted in some of the Cattle's tiles, all the while staying a
step ahead of the fearsome sea serpent. The story is rather
slight, but the unsophisticated acrylic paintings help move
the plot along and add an element of drama. Certainly this
will enhance a math lesson about perimeter, radius,
circumference, and the area of a circle. It makes more
concrete the formula we all learned in geometry classes.
Diagrams are clear and the last page details the thought
processes involved in solving the riddle.
Michael Jordan (Matt Christopher
Legends in Sports Series)
Sports
by Matt Christopher , Stephanie
Peters , Glenn Stout , Stephanie
Peters
Synopsis
Matt Christopher, the number one sports writer for kids,
profiles basketball superstar Michael Jordan, covering
his childhood, college career, rookie years, professional
career highlights, and his short stint in minor league
baseball. This reissue features an update, following
Jordan from his re-entry into basketball as a player for
the Washington Wizards to his third and final retirement
announcement. With updated photos and Matt
Christopher's easy-to-read style, this is a biography
that's not to be missed.